Flights to Ukraine halted, redirected as crisis brews

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JIM HEINTZ

MOSCOW (AP) — Some airlines have canceled or diverted flights to Ukraine amid heightened fears that an invasion by Russia is imminent despite intensive weekend talks between the Kremlin and the West.

In an hourlong Saturday call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Joe Biden said that invading Ukraine would cause “widespread human suffering” and that the West was committed to diplomacy to end the crisis but “equally prepared for other scenarios,” the White House said. It offered no suggestion that the call diminished the threat of an imminent war in Europe.

The two presidents spoke a day after Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, warned that U.S. intelligence shows a Russian invasion could begin within days.

Russia denies it intends to invade but has massed well over 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border and has sent troops to exercises in neighboring Belarus. U.S. officials say Russia’s buildup of firepower has reached the point where it could invade on short notice.



An instructor shows a woman how to use a Kalashnikov assault rifle, as members of a Ukrainian far-right group train, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. Russia denies it intends to invade but has massed well over 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border and has sent troops to exercises in neighboring Belarus, encircling Ukraine on three sides. U.S. officials say Russia's buildup of firepower has reached the point where it could invade on short notice. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-russia-europe-moscow-dce9b30db290a6e82f5aaa0f35a3125a

[yaesu]

1. Probably a good idea considering the russion history in the area of taking down airlines with

ground to air missiles.

[Irish_Dem]

2. I read that he is trucking in the missiles right now.

And I assume he is going to scramble air power any day now.

[SheltieLover]

3. Did you see this post?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216350791

I wish his troops would turn on him & his ilk.

[Irish_Dem]

10. Jebus. Very bad news.

I agree, I wish they would turn on Putin.
But very unlikely that they would do so.
Troops would be shot on the spot.

[SheltieLover]

15. Maybe, but did you see article early this morning

Former Russian general ripped putie a new one saying it's personal greed & no one is threatening Russia.

[Irish_Dem]

17. No I didn't see that. Wow.

I am glad there are general who will speak out.

They must be horrified to see potential troop casualties for no good reason.

Thanks for letting me know!!

[SheltieLover]

18. Trying to find for you...

Early morning today. Will post link here if I find it.

[SheltieLover]

19. Here it is! Enjoy!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216350811

[SheltieLover]

4. And this one. Russians risking lives taking videos & posting online

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216351014

[Irish_Dem]

11. Maybe there is hope for Russia after all.

Thanks Sheltie.

[SheltieLover]

16. I hope so, too!

[Historic NY]

5. So maybe people better get in a car, train or bus..and leave.

[pwb]

6. A P is excited they may get their war.

All the Cable owners cant wait to get viewers back. They all need their wars and uprisings.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. We have a friend scheduled to leave Kviv for here on March 5.

She was to come last May, but tested positive for Covid, spent 4 months in hospital, lost part of a lung, and has finally gotten 2 vaccine doses.

Pray planes will still fly out of Ukraine.

[PatSeg]

8. Oh my god, that is awful

I hope she is able to get out of there safely.

[OnlinePoker]

13. I'd be getting in a car and heading for Poland.

March 5th is going to be to long to wait.

[blue-wave]

14. Posted this earlier. If there are no flights out, she needs

to get to the Polish Border. Even if she is not an American citizen, I would head to the border.


Message to U.S. Citizens: Poland/Ukraine Border Open to U.S. Citizens

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016313767

[Texaswitchy]

9. My cousin in Czech Republic is leaving for visit two kids in Canada.

She now on the way.

Left this morning.

She has a health issue and stress has been to much.

She has her shots and is negative for the virus.

[MarcA]

12. Photos accompanying AP article mention "far right groups"

training civilians. Mention also made of Special Forces Unit Azov.
With friends like these...